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Difference between Intel’s i3 and i5 Processors

In November 2008 Intel introduces its new series of processors ”i series” . There are three variants, Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 and the names no longer correspond to specific technical features like the number of cores which is used in earlier versions. The Common features of all ”i series” Processors are that they include an integrated DDR3 memory controller as well as QuickPath Interconnect or PCI Express and Direct Media Interface on the processor replacing the aging quad-pumpedFront Side Bus used in all earlier Core processors. Also, all these processors have 256 KB L2 cache per core, plus up to 12 MB shared level 3 cache. Because of the new I/O interconnect, chipsets and mainboards from previous generations can no longer be used with these ”i series” Processors.

i3 Processor:

i3 is a low-end processor of ”i series” and was launched on January 7, 2010. It was Clarkdale-based, (desktop) with an integrated GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and two cores. Most of the i3 Processors supports 64bit processing. It runs on 32nm technology which boost its performance nearly similar to starting range of i5 processors.

Codename
(microarchitecture)

Processor

L3 Cache

Socket

TDP

I/O Bus

Clarkdale

Core i3-5xx

4 MB

LGA 1156

73 W

Direct Media Interface,
Integrated GPU

Arrandale

Core i3-3xxM

3 MB

µPGA-989

35 W

Core i3 processors don’t support Intel’s vPro virtualization technology and don’t support Intel’s AES encryption acceleration technology. This processor is best for basic tasks such as word processing, email, surfing the web.

i5 Processor:

It was introduced on September 8, 2009 an its the upgraded version of i3 processor. The main differences between the processors are:

i5 has Turbo Boost(It automatically speeds up the processor when the PC needs extra performance which is done by “dyanmic overclocking” i.e. increasing CPU clock-speed), the i3 doesn’t

i3 has hyper-threading, while i5 doesn’t

Codename
(microarchitecture)

Processor

L3 Cache

Socket

TDP

I/O Bus

Direct Media Interface

Lynnfield

Core i5-7xx

8 MB

LGA 1156

95 W

Core i5-7xxS

82 W

Clarkdale

Core i5-6xx

4 MB

73–87 W

Direct Media Interface,
Integrated GPU

Arrandale

Core i5-5xxM

3 MB

µPGA-989

35 W

Core i5-4xxM

Core i5-5xxUM

18 W

According to Intel “Core i5 desktop processors and desktop boards typically do not support ECC memory, but information on limited ECC support in the Core i3 section also applies to Core i5 and i7. So guys if you need processor for gaming and other heavy processes than i5 is best for it but you have to pay more than i3 processor.